Method of photographic composing for printing plates and apparatus therefor



Jan 6, 1931. BOEDICKER 1,787,62

union or PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSING roa mar rm PLATES AND APPARATUS Tmuron Filed May 17. 1927 4 shoots-Shoot. 1

.[ HHh m m hh mung!!! ATTORNEY Jan 6, 1931. H. c. BOEDICKER 3 ,6

IETHOD OF PHOTOGRAPHIC COIPOSING FOR PRIHTI'G' PLATES AND APPARATUS THEREFOR 4 Shuts-Sheet 2 Filed lay 17, 1927 INVENTOR {a Wag A Y'TORNE V Jan 6, 1931. H. c. BOEDICKER 1,737,662

METHOD OF PHOTOGRAPHIC COIPOSING FOR "I'TI'G PLATES AND APPARATUS THEREFOI Filed Kay 17, 1927 4 Shuts-Shoot. 3

INVENTOR :1 430% A TTORNEY Jan 6, 1931. H. c. BOEDICKER, 1,787,662

' "ETHOD OF PHOTOGRAPHIC COHPOSING FOR PRIN'IUG PLATES AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filedlay 17, 1927 4 Shoots-Sheet 4 I 0 III IN VEN TOR flm a... c .7 A70 M A 17' ORNE Y go for enlarging,

Patented Jan. 6, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- HERMAN C. BOEDICK ER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

METHOD OF PHOTOGRAPHIC C OMPOSING FOR PRINTING PLATES AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Application filed. Kay 17,-

The object of the present invention is to provide a method of photographic composing for producing step-up negatives, particularly for use in making plates for all types of printing work such as lithography,

5 offset, rotogravure, etc., and a machine adapted for carrying out the method.

The present invention has for its main object the provision of an improved method of photographic composing for producing ste up negatives, particularly for use in maliing plates for all types of printing work such as lithography, ofiset,-rotogravure, etc., and a machine adapted for carrying out the method. The various specific objects of the invention will hereinafter be brought out in detail.

A feature of the present invention consists in providing a method of projecting a negative onto a sensitized sheet a plurality.

of times b step-up action, without resetting for each the spaced projections, by settingup in advance spacing ineans such for-ex ample as registry blocks or stops and using them as positioning means during the actual 2 successive projecting operations. Such spacas before the sensitized plate is prepared or placed in position and the slightest inaccu:

racy of setting up in advance can be readily checked and corrected by an over-all check-' ing. During actual exposure of the sensitized sheet the stepping up or step-by-step move-- ment of the projector proper over the sheet requires no skilled control or scrutiny but merely follows the determined setting.

sists in the provision. of means for predeterminiug and fixing the relative positions of the projector proper and the sensitized sheet as regards being accurately in focus whether reducing or merely reproduc- A further feature of the invention con-f 1927. Serial No. 192,143.

ing to the same scale as that of the negative.

The projector proper according to the present invention may also be used as a camera and thereby enable a method of photographic composing to be followed consisting in exposing a sensitized sheet to an illuminated image to form a negative of the image of any desired size, developing the negative, restoring the negative to the position to which it was exposed and projecting the image upon another sensitized sheet a pluralityof times by step-up action.

The various specific objects of the invention will hereinafter be brought out in detail.

The invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is an end elevation, partly in section (on the line 1-1, Fig. 6) of a'machine embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the lens mounting of the camera;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of a machine embodying the invention;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the lamp and lens housing;

F'gure 5 is a horizontal section through a partof the bearing members for the ad justing shafts for the table;

Figure 6 is a plan View of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 7 is a plan View, somewhat frag-. mentary, of the mask showing a negative in position;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of the same;

Figure 9 is a perspective view. of one of the carriage locking units, partly in section; Figure 10 is a vertical section on the line 1010, Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a view in elevation, and partial section,-of one of the bellows, guide bars, its bearing frame, and its actuating shaft; Figure 12 is a view in elevation in'pa'rtial section of the lens holder members in separated relation in order to illustrate the method of adjustment;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the mask, and

Figure 14 isa sectional plan view of one of the adjustable saddle wheels.

Referring to Figures 1, 3 and 6 of the drawings, it willbe seen that the device comprises a stationary frame A, which in this instance is rectangular, a vertically adjustable table B and a camera broadly indicated at C and comprising a combined mask and negative holder, an adjustable lens mounting and bellows and a lamp housing, the camera as a whole being horizontally movable in four directions. These units will now be described separately.

The f1'ame.In the present embodiment of the invention the frame consists of two unitary rectangular end members, one of which is shown in Figure 1 at 1, and transversely extending connecting beams at each side of the frame, the beams'being indicated at 2. The frame is yieldingly supported by means of four heavy springs 3 which surround short annular extensions 4: carried by the members 1, the springs resting on broad supporting feet 5.

Any suitable means may be employed to connect the beams 2 and the end members A, it being preferable that the beams be re movable for convenience in shipping the ma- .chine, although the beams can be welded to the end members if desired.

The tabZe.The table B consists of a rectangular casing which at each of its four corners is provided with a boss 6 formed with a threaded aperture adapted to receive an adjusting screw, the screws being indicated at 7, 7", 7"". The screw 7 is journalled at its top in the apertured boss 8 of bracket 9,

and it carries a bevel gear 10 in mesh with a gear 11 on horizontal shaft 12. Shaft 12 extends across the frame and is suitably secured thereto for rotation, being provided with a. hand wheel 13. Shaft 12 carries a second gear 14 in mesh with a gear 15 at the top of the shaft 7 opposite shaft 7 At its lower end shaft 7 X carries a bevel gear 16 and the shaft is provided with a thrust bearing 17 carried by a removable plate 18 (Figures 1' and 5). Referring to Figure 5 it will be seen. that the bevel gear 16 is in mesh with a bevel gear 19 on a shaft 20, and reference to Figure 3will show that shaft 20 extends to the other side of the machine where it is connected by like bevel gears (not shown) to shaft 7"". Shaft 7 is likewise connected to the fourth of the vertical adjusting shafts for the table.

.ceive the cross bars 21, 22, which bars may fit into grooves formed in a plate holder or ma be directly secured to the plate holder the camera.

an thus be received within the grooves. In this manner the plate or negative holder may immediately e centered relatively to The frame contains a combined focusing gauge and lock for the table. The gauge and lock comprise a vertical bar 24 which may be secured to the frame in any suitable manner. In the drawings I have shown the bar bolted to the frame memberl by means of the brackets 25. The bar projects inwardly toward the table B and is-formed with any desired number of wedge-shaped notches 24* to receive a locking key 26 carried by a lever 27 which is pivoted on the table by means of pivot stud 28. The key 26 accurately fits the wedge slots in bar 24 so as to exactly gauge the position of the table and lock the latter in such position. It is necessary to exactly place the table B in the predetermined position before it can be locked. In other words, when the key does not move to final and locking position within slot 2 1* the table B is not accurately placed. Movement of hand wheel 13 will accurately place the table which will be determined by the fitting of the key with in the slot.

The camera.The camera is adapted for projection of an image upon a sensitized plate held by the table and preferably also for the production of a negative from an image held bv the table. The size of either the image projected upon the table or the negative produced by photographing an image resting on the table may be determined not'only by adjustment of the'table in the manner above described but by adjusting the lens of the camera relatively to the image and the negative held in the camera.

' In the embodiment illustrated in the drawing I have provided a rectangular frame or saddle 29 which has four short projecting legs 29". The two legs at one side of the-saddle 29 carry small wheels 30 which are adjustable to raise or lower the saddle, their construction being shown in detail in Figure 14. Each Wheel consists of a contact ring rotata: ble about a bearing ring 31, ball or other suitable bearings 32 being interposed. Bearing ring 31 is carried by the eccentric head of an adjusting screw 33. By rotation of the screw the horizontal axis of the saddle wheel may be raised or lowered for a purpose later to be describedin detail The saddle wheels rest upon a horizontal member 34 of a saddle carriage. The carriage consists of said cross bar 34, asecond and parallel cross bar 35 and spaced transversely extending bars 36, 37. Bar 36 is V-shaped at its base to fit within a corresponding y formed guide-way 38 in a horizontal member of frame A. The contact between the'saddle carriage and the opposite horizontal frame member is through adjustable wheels 39 (one being illustrated in Figure 6) which are constructed. as shown in detail, Figure 14. It will thus be seen that the saddle carriage is movable in two directions on frame A and that the saddle with the members of the camera carried thereby, is

. shaft 43 through apertured cars 44. The

then inwardly.

lamp-house comprises means for employing an ordinary high-powered incandescent light bulb F, which necessarily includes means for carrying off the heat generated by the light. To this end the top of the lamp-house is closed by a removable three-part cap coustituting a light-proof ventilator. The lower member 45 of the ventilator has a flange bolted to the top of the lamp-house as shown in Figure 1. It then extends upwardly and Above member 45 is a horizontal plate 46 which may be threaded to receive the lamp socket 47. Plate 46 rests upon and is con,- nected to member 45 by three spacer disks through which pass screws 48 as indicated in Figures 1 and 6. Above plate 46 is a cap the flange 56 of the lamp-house. Ring 57 is then placed in position and a piece of ground glass may be placed upon the ring'to diffuse the light. A second ring 58 is then placed in position in contact withthe ground glass which separates it from ring 57. The second and lower condenser 59 may then be placed in position. Upon ring 58 may be placed an iron plate indicated at 60, Figure 1, which may be secured in the lamp-house by ny suitable means. On four sides of the iamp-house I place adjusting screws. Thescrews are in sets of two as shown in Figure 1 at 61. Each set engages a fibre strip 62 which strips engage the condensers, so that when the screws are successively turned, they 7 firmly hold the condensers.

The saddle 29 is formed with a central opening for, the projection of the light from ,the lamp-house and also for the passage of the image raise when the device is used as a camera to produce a negative from the image on the table. Resting upon the saddle above its central opening is normally placed a mask 63 which is shown in detail in Figures 7 and 13. The mask is provided with a central opening which will always be slightly smaller than the image to be projected or the sensitized plate. The mask is provided with carefully spaced apertures 63 to receive member 49 having a depending flange which/registering pins 64 carried at the margins of passes below the opening intermediate members 45 and 46, the cap member 49 being supported on member 46 by spacer disks and the screws 48. The arrangement just described provides a light type ventilator for the lamp house, the hot air being required to pass in reverse directions through the ventilator, the members of the ventilator preventing the entrance of light, which is necessary when the device is used as a camera, and the ventilator also prevents the passage of light from the lamp-house when the device is used as aprojector to project an image upon a sensitized plate or plates held by the table B. The

lamp-house maybe provided with a pilot window 50 and below the window is provided a light'type ventilator for the'admission of cool air, the ventilator consisting ofan outwardly and downwardly extending channel 51 in the lamp-house, which communicates with a slot 52 in a covering plate 53, the latter communicating with an upwardly dithe saddle and said margins also carry spring clips 65 which may serve to hold both the mask and the image or sensitized plate in position, Figure 7 showing an image 66 held in position by the clips.

The mask is engraved with the centering lines 67 which lie at right angleswith complementary centering lines 67 which are intended to. coincide with similar lines placed on the image sheet or sensitized plate so that the latter may be square relative to the plate or image, as the case may be, held by the tableB.

At its under face the saddle carries bellows 68, the bellows being provided with an adjustable lens mounting G shown in detail in Figures 2 and 12.

The lens is carried by a ring 69 below a shutter diagrammatically indicated at 70,"

the assembly being secured to the adjustable carrying ring 71. The carrying ring 71 is provided with a plurality otpins 72 which pass through guide slots 73 in a ring 74 depending from cross plate 75, the plate being apertured at its ends and secured upon the focusing rods H, Figure 1.

Threaded upon ring 74 is an adjusting sleeve 76 in which are formed spiral grooves 77 to receive the ends of pins 72, by rotating adjusting sleeves 76, pins 72, which have a vertical movement only with member, 71, are caused to ride up or down, in accordance with the direction of rotation, thus adjusting the lens without rotating it. Focusing rods are mounted for adjustment each within a vertical sleeve 78 bolted upon the saddle 29, as shown in detail, Figure 11. Each sleeve is of greater diameter than the focusing rod which it receives. Each sleeve at its top is formed with an-outwardlyflaring wall to re ceive a conical split bushing 79 held by adjusting s'crews'80. By turning down screws 80 at both the top and bottom of sleeve 78 the shaft H will not only be centered but will be held firmly-against lateral play and any wear therein may be compensated. At predetermined accurately spaced points on one of the focusing rods H apertures 81 are provided,

o as indicated in Figures 1 and 11, to receive a locking pin 82 so as to lock the focusing rods and therefore the lens and bellows in accurately predetermined position.

Means are provided for simultaneously actuating the focusing rods H. Each rod is provided with rack teeth. An actuating shaft 100 mounted in bearing bosses 101 and provided jvith an operating wheel 102 is provided with a toothed ring engaging the teeth of one of the focusing rods. Shaft 100 is connected by gears 103 to a shaft 104 which in turn is connected by bevelled gears to a shaft 105 having a toothed ring enga ing the teeth of the second focusing bar (see igures 6 and 11).. By this means the two focusing shafts are moved in unison at exactly the same rate of speed and without any binding.

Means are provided for accuratelyregistering the lateral adjustments of the camera to meet any predetermined ositions, and such means will now be descri d:

Sets of spaced registry blocks or the like may be kept in stock for fitment of the machine at any time. In the case of actual registry blocks these may be adju'stably settable along two bars set at right angles to one another, and means such as pivotal engaging handles may be rovided on the projector to engage the blociis in succession. eachblock being fouexample formed with a wedgeshaped or-key slot for engagement wit-h a wedge-shaped projection or key on the handle, so that their accurate'interengagement will e'nsure'a precise and accurate positioning of the projector proper for each individual projecting operation.

The method of operating the machine by predetermining in advance what shall be the entire step-up action has. particular advantages in multicolor work as precisely the same advance settin of the spacing means would be adhered to uring the series of projections on every sheet of the set of sheets required for the several colors, and consequently'the exact and precise registering of. the colors in the eventual cogidposite printed matter mustoccur, rovid of course the lithographic or ot er printer gses the sheets correctly.

At opposite points upon the saddle-carriage are supported bars 83 and adjustably mounted 11 on said bars are registry blocks 84, the sai blocks being shown in detail in Figures 9 and 10. Each bar 83 is sharply bevelled at its top, as'indicated in Figure 9 so as to fit within the correspondinglg recessed portion of'the registry block.- t its base the block is provided with an adjustable shoe 86 enga ed by a set screw 87. When the registry block, its desired position, rotation of said screw 87 will clamp the block in position upon bar 83, the shoe 86 preventing the blockfrom moving from its position when being tightened and the inclined or wedge-shaped upper portion of the block coacting with the like shaped portion of bar 83 to accurately square the block relatively to the bar thus placing the key slot 84* of the registry blockiexactl at right angles to the bar. The registry locks 84 ma be placed in their relative positions on t e bar 83 when the latter is placed upon the saddle carriage or before the bar is so placed, and bars upon which blocks have been set'for different spacing may be exchanged during the making of the plate requiring a plurality of spacings or may be put away for use when the same spacings are again required, it only being necessary to remove the bars from their supporting pins, 5

a pivotal handle member 88, the key beingno wedge-sha ed to correipond with the key slot 84". nasmuch as e key and key slot are wedge-shaped, and assuming the saddle to be a little oifthe correct position, when handle 88 is swung downwardly, the key and key slot will act as leverage members to, bodil move the saddle on the carriage to its exactpredetermined position.

The above is a description of the saddle registering means. Like means are provided for the carriage. To this end the. carria e at opposite sides is provided with pivotal y mounted key carrying'h'andles 88 to engage registry blocks 89 each ad'justably' mounted on a bar similarly supported by the frame as the bar 33 is'supported by the saddle carriage, the construction of the registry Blocks,

keys and *pivotally mounted handles being exactly as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

The

describe 7 H Making and em laying master mgdtz'ves. The lamp-house E is, as above stated, light tight. To make 'a-master negative it is only necessary toplace a sensitized plate upon the mask 63 and secure it position by means of the clips 65. The 'mask employed will have an opening"corresponding to the. size of the negative desired. The lamp-house, is then closed to the position illustrated ii -Figure '1.

in each case, is moved to 75 operation of the device will now ,120

The image is placed on table B being previously marked with square lines such as .those indicated at 67, 67*, Figure 7, so as to lie perfectly square on the table coinciding with the cross bars 22. The hand wheel 102 has been or will be turned tobring the lens to the predetermined focusing point for a negative of the same size as the image or of reduced or enlarged size. The adjustment apertures 81 may be so placed relatively to the pins 82 as to indicate predetermined standard adjustments and any adjustments intermediate the standard adjustments may be obtained by. rotation of the hand wheel 102. For very fine focusing adjustments ring 7 6 may be rotated to move the camera lens toward or from the table. The exposure is then made in the usual manner.

The negative may then' be developed.

After developing the negative the' square lines 67,. 67* will appear directly thereon. For convenience in placing the developed negative relative to the mask, the latter is removed from the lamp house and the negative placed in position so that its square lines coincide with those on the mask. The negative may then be held on the mask by small pieces of adhesive tape or the like. After the mask with its attached negative is replaced in the lamp, the clips are swung over to hold the assembly in position, as illustrated in Figure 7.

The negative will invariably be placed in exact alignment relative to the table B because of the square line arrangement above described, and they fact that the mask has only one position relatively to the lamphouse, that being exactly square and predetermined by the position of fixed registering pins 64 carried at the margins of the saddle which enter the apertures 63* in the mask.

When the light is turned on within the lamp-house, and without any change of adjustments in the machine, the image on the negative willbe projected upon the table.

Assuming that a sensitized plate is placed upon the table in squared position thereon, the said projected image may be thrown at one or a predetermined number of spaced positions upon the plate, to produce a single exposure; or a plurality of exactly similar exposures may be made by successive lateral movements of the projector comprised by the lamp-house and its associated members. In the latter case the registry blocks 84, 89 will first be placed in the desired positions, for spacing of the exposures and immediately prior to each exposure the wedge carrying lever 88 or 88, as the case may be, will be swung down to position the projecting elements and lock them at the time of the exposure. The registry blocks and wedge car fact that inasmuch as the registry. block opening 848 is wedge-shaped, corresponding with the wedge on the lever, should the carriage or saddle, as the case may be, lie even slightly out of position at the time the lever is swung down, the latter will impart that slight correctional movement to the saddle or carriage which is required to secure exact position.

Step-up images may be produced upon a sensitized plate held in the camera by successive movements of the camcrarelatively to an image supported by table B. In or dinary practice, however, it is preferable, for the sake of sharpness in the individual images, to make a master negative for subsequent projection use within the lamp-house by a. .single exposure of the image upon a sensitized plate in the camera, developing the plate and projecting the image the desired number of times upon a sensitized plate held upon table B. After developing the latter it can be placed within the lamp-house and by step-up movements relatively to the large sensitized plate on the table B, each step will project a plurality of images upon the plate so that the latter may be very rapidly completed notwithstanding minuteness of the image size. This method is particularly desirable when the plate is intended for subsequent production of cigar bands, stamps, small labels, cutouts, etc., in colors by a plurality of color plates which must mutually register.

The focusing positions of the camera relatively to table B, in such step-up work, will be prearranged by adjustment of the registry blocks 84, 89. Exact predeterminedenlargement or reduction may be secured without visual examination of the focusing clements, through the pin and slot devices 82, 81 for the camera and the latch devices com bined by the registry bar 24 and key 26.

By projecting a beam of light of the desired thickness and by moving the camera relatively to a sensitized plate on table B, 1

various designs can be drawn upon the plate to produce, upon development, a negative for use in further projection or printing steps.

Having described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters'Patent is as follows 1.' In photographic composing machines, a combined projector and camera, a support upon which the projector-camera is adjustable laterally, a table movable toward and from the projector-camera, a bellows carried by the projector-camera and adjustable registry devices for the bellows and table adapted to lock the two in predetermined focusing positions. I

2.'In photographic composing machines for printing plates, a combined projectorcamera, a saddle supporting the projectorcamera, means disposed below the saddle and permitting movement of the latter with the camera in four directions, and registry-locking devices intermediate the projectorcamera and its support and including means for automatically correcting slight inaccuracies in the position of the camera, which means is Operable when said registry locking devices-are thrown into action.

3. In photographic composing machines, for printing plates, a su porting frame, a table adjustable on said rame, a combined camera-projector carried by the support and including a bellows, means for adjusting the bellows com rising parallel rack bars connected to the ellows, spaced sleeves vertically supported b the frame and receiving the bars, a cran and inion device for raising and lowering the liars simultaneously and means for locking the bars to hold the bellows in predetermined focal positions.

4. In photo raphic composing machines for printing p ates, a support, a table inovable on said support, a. combined projectorcamera mounted independently of said table for adjustment in planes parallel to the table, a bellows carried by the projectorcamera, parallel rack bars connected to the bellows, spaced sleeves vertically supported by the support and receiving the rack bars, and adjustable split-cone bushings intermediate the sleeves aud the rack bars for centering and wear-compensating the latter.

5. In photographic composing machines for printing plates, a frame, a table vertically adjustable on the frame, a combined projector-camera, a bellows carried by the projector-camera and adjustable toward and from the table, a saddle upon which the projector-camera is carried, a carriage for the saddle permitting movement of the latter in two directions, and a slidable connection intermediate the frame and the carriage permitting movement of the latter in 'two dircctions transversely of those of the saddle.

6. In photographic composing machines, a frame, a pro ector-camera. a carriage upon which the projector-camera, is movable in two directions, a connection intermediate the frame and the carriage permitting movement of th'e latter in two directions transversely of those previously referred to, coacting registry devlces' comprising a' set of units having tapered recesses and a set of units having tapered keys, one set being carried by the projector-camera, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. ln photographic composing nfichines 1 comprising a frame, a carriage movable in opposite directions on the frame, a combined projector-camera movable in opposite" directions onthe carnage, a ser es of registry devices carried by the frame and complementary devices carried by the carriage, a sec-- by the projector-camera, and a table carried by the frame and adjustable toward and from the projector-camera, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In photographic composing machines for printing plates, a frame provided with a runway at one side and a guide channel at the opposite side, a carriage having a projection entering said channel and having antifriction means resting upon the runway, a guide channel provided by the carriage and a runway opposite said gulde channel, a combined projector-camera and an adjustable connect-ion intermediate the projector-camera and the carriage comprising a projection within the channel of the carriage and an anti-friction device engaging the runway.

9. In photographic composing machines, a frame provided at one side with a guide channel and at the opposite side with a runway, a carriage provided with a member projecting within theguide channel and a roller contacting with said runway, the carriage having opposed members, one of said members bein formed with a guide channel and the secon member with a runway, and a combined projector camera having a 'projectim. entering the guide groove of the carriage and a roller resting upon its runway..

10. In photographic composing machines, a combined projector-camera comprising a light-tight lamp-house, a plurality of pins carried by the lamp-house, a mask having a central opening therein and provided with apertures to receivethe pins, square-lines on said mask, a table, and squaring means carried by said table. said means being in register with the s uare-lines of the mask. a

11. A p otographic composing machine "constructed in accordance with claim 9, in

combination with means for adjusting the projector-camera relatively to the roller.

12. A photographic composing machine constructed in accordance with claim 9 in which the roller is carried by an eccentric I bearing stud rotatable to adjust the axis of the roller relative] to the projector-camera. In testimony w ereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

' HERMAN C. BOEDICKER. 

